Eliana Willis

June Wan/ZDNETIf you’ve ever wanted to know the name of a song playing nearby, there are several apps that will tell you a song’s title and artist with the tap of a button. There’s a new way coming, though, and it may be the easiest yet – Google’s Circle to Search.Also: Your Android phone is getting an anti-theft upgrade, thanks to AI. How it worksCircle to Search, which lets you draw a circle on your screen to search for something, debuted on the Google Pixel 8 series last year and expanded to other Android devices shortly after. The tool lets you quickly see where to purchase an item, identify landmarks, translate signs, easily copy text, and now, identify songs.With Circle to Search song identification, you don’t have to open a third-party app like Shazam or SoundHound. Instead, you can tap your phone’s home screen to start the process.The expansion of Circle to Search was first spotted on Reddit, where a Galaxy S23 user noticed it after a recent update. Other Samsung device users chimed in to say they saw the feature too, but it was absent for many, meaning this is a gradual rollout.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2024Here’s how to use Circle to Search to identify a song once it rolls out to your device. Long press the home button or navigation bar like always to open the feature. When the search bar appears, tap the music note icon. A “listening” overlay will pop up and the song name and artist will appear. The tool doesn’t just work with actual songs, though, as you can even sing the song yourself or hum it to get an answer. More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Lorex 2K Wi-Fi video doorbell More

zf L/Getty Images Did an AI write this piece?  Questions like this were a friendly quip when generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) began its foray into mainstream discourse. Two years later, while people around the globe use AI for all kinds of activities, others are raising important questions about the emerging technology’s long-term impact. Last month, fans […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhen GPT-4 was OpenAI’s most powerful artificial intelligence (AI) large language model (LLM), paying $20 a month to access it with a subscription to ChatGPT Plus was a no-brainer for many users. However, since OpenAI announced the availability of GPT-4o, the choice is a bit more complicated. Also: How to use ChatGPT to write your resumeIn May 2024, OpenAI revealed an omnimodel that makes GPT-4-level intelligence accessible to everyone. Free users can also access features previously reserved for paid subscribers, including the GPT Store for custom GPT bots; the Memory feature to give their conversations continuity; uploading photos and documents to discuss them with ChatGPT; web browsing; and advanced data analysis. More recently, OpenAI launched GPT-4o mini, giving free users access to ChatGPT’s image generation feature.As a ChatGPT Plus subscriber, I’ll explain below when ChatGPT will suffice and when you might want to opt for Plus. You should use ChatGPT Plus if… More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETFrom contracts to research papers, most important documents come in lengthy PDFs — regardless of what you do, you’re guaranteed to encounter them in your lifetime, and they nearly always contain verbose language. This is especially true if you are a student because teachers of all grade levels love to assign PDF handouts. AI can now help you better understand the content and save time doing so. ChatGPT can act as your assistant by parsing through the PDFs and being on standby for anything you need. It can answer questions, provide summaries, and even generate content from the text, including outlines, emails, and more. The best part is that the feature is entirely free. Also: How to get ChatGPT to browse the web for freeIn May 2024, nearly a year after ChatGPT launched, OpenAI upgraded the free version of the chatbot with several GPT-4o features typically reserved for their paying customers, including the ability to upload screenshots, photos, and documents. Getting started with the tool is easy, and in the long run, it will save you lots of time and effort. How to use ChatGPT to analyze PDFs More

Jada Jones/ZDNETCredible reports assert that Apple has two new versions of AirPods in its back pocket, ready to launch during its annual hardware event. Rumors also swirl that Apple will announce the second generation of its over-ear headphones, AirPods Max, during the same hardware event. The event, which usually takes place in September, is when the company unveils the latest iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods.Also: Apple will release two AirPods models next month – everything we know so farApple’s current AirPods lineup consists of one premium over-ear option, one premium in-ear version, and two base model options with minimal upgraded features. Reports say that Apple’s new earbuds will replace the second and third-generation base model AirPods. Here are the features I’d like to see in the upcoming releases.1. Angled tips onlyThe AirPods Pro and third-generation AirPods sport angled ear tips, compared to the second-generation AirPods with straight ear tips. Angled ear tips enhance audio clarity, promote a more comfortable fit, and provide a better seal between the earbuds and the ear canal for improved noise isolation.Also: 6 Apple products you shouldn’t buy this month (especially these iPhones!)I would like Apple to retire the second-generation AirPods’ design altogether or at least reserve it only for wired EarPods. The design can be uncomfortable and cheap-feeling, leaving customers asking why they’re paying $129 for glorified EarPods, which are only $20.2. Find My speakerApple’s AirPods Pro 2 feature a small speaker on the bottom of the charging case that rings when you press “Play Sound” in the Find My app. This speaker helps when you know your AirPods are nearby, but you can’t pinpoint exactly where they are. More

Score a Microsoft Office license now for 89% off.  StackSocial Whether you’re setting up your new laptop or using a machine you’ve had for years, access to Microsoft Office is a necessity for many of us to get things done. Right now, you can buy a lifetime license to the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus for […] More

Don’t miss this Sam’s Club membership to save big on everything from groceries to electronics. Sam’s Club/ZDNETA Sam’s Club membership will get you discounts on groceries, clothing, electronics, and just about everything else you might need. And right now, StackSocial is offering a deal that will get you a Sam’s Club membership for $25 for the year with auto-renew — down from the usual price of $50.Your Sam’s Club membership will work at nearly 600 US Sam’s Club locations. This deal is only open to new Sam’s Club members in the US, or those whose membership lapsed more than six months ago. The membership will expire one year from the activation date, and will automatically renew at the full price of $50 per year after that unless you cancel it. To cancel, you can visit SamsClub.com or a club or call 1-888-746-7726. To take advantage of this deal, you’ll redeem your unique code through the link above, and then sign up for the membership. Once you purchase your code, you must redeem it within 30 days. The limit is one membership per person, but you can buy an additional membership as a gift.I signed up for a similar deal for a Costco membership through StackSocial, and can confirm the process was easy, and I’d vouch for the deal. Don’t miss out on 50% off a Sam’s Club membership right now. Also: The best TV deals right now More